Complaining neighbor

[sparkygrace]

My situation was similar when we bought our property, but with a few differences. Our farmette is part of a larger farm that was divided into small horse properties. After we bought the house, I had an arena built on the only suitable spot on a our gently sloping acreage. Our next door neighbor had lived here for 30+ years and had always had horses on her one acre lot. She was unhappy with the arena, claiming it ruined her view. (There is never any dust, as I water before each ride.) We did discuss it and remained friendly.

One day her hubby moved a large decorative windmill to their fence line right next to the arena. The noise and movement spooked both my horses. I politely talked to them about it and they moved it. Whether they did it on purpose out of spite I will never know. I do hope your efforts to mitigate the problem work and your neighbor stops his disturbing behavior. Behaving in a way to potentially cause an injury is something that should be discussed with a lawyer. (Only if it continues.)

[PeteyPie]

About the carport being less than 10’ from the property line: there are a few reasons which may nullify that setback rule. Having said that, the neighbor’s carport clouds the issue you are dealing with, which is dust from your arena. I would deal with the dust problem and not go off on tangents which are not a big issue. As for the neighbor’s carport placement:

1. What is a building according to your local codes? What is an accessory building? The definitions are not the same everywhere. Where I live, a structure which is moveable has different restrictions than one which is attached to a foundation. So it can be on a foundation but if not attached to the foundation it is not classified the same way as a building and does not have the same setback requirements. A shed or shade structure is not an accessory building here, but it may be defined as such where you live.

2. Is it possible your neighbor has grandfather rights for the placement of his carport?

3. Have you actually had a survey done to determine where the lot lines are? A plat map will not always give you all the information you need.

[lorilu]

Absolutely within her rights. My arena is ON my fence line. Arenas arent buildings subject to set backs (and who knows what the set back rules are for side lines in her area?) Faces the neighbors front field. THey have vegetable raised beds right there. Never a complaint.

[SharonA1]

@Red_Barn

In all seriousness: imagine how you’d feel if somebody did this to you. Imagine what it would do to your property value, never mind your comfort.

Shit, I’d love this. It would increase my property value and I would be ecstatic to see more horse stuff going on. I certainly might grab an iced tea and casually watch the odd lesson. I don’t think I’d care about dust or lights a few hours a day, but, that’s just me.

[Simkie]

@lorilu

Arenas arent buildings subject to set backs

They certainly CAN be…arenas (and I’m not talking about indoor or covered ones) have to be set back 100’ from property lines where I live in CT, in a rural, horsey area. Does go to show that arenas are recognized as a bit of a nuisance in some locales.

[lorilu]

thanks for reminding me that rules vary in each county (or even city)

[Red_Barn]

@SharonA1

It would increase my property value . . .

What, exactly, makes you think that?

[SharonA1]

@Red_Barn

What, exactly, makes you think that?

Data.
.

[Red_Barn]

@SharonA1

Data.
.

Having an arena - complete with dust, manure, bright lights, squealing kids and somebody yelling “Heels down!” for 9 hours a day - right under your windows enhances your property’s value?

I’d like to see that data, please.

Because, you know, we’re not talking about a couple of decorative ponies on a green field a thousand yards away. We’re talking about a business involving livestock that’s very much in your face.

[trubandloki]

Horse stuff (ring, fencing, heck even the barn) is like a swimming pool. Something that the person putting it up wants, but not necessarily something that ads value to the property. It certainly does not add value to adjoining properties.

[Jenerationx]

If I had an arena next door to me, I’d probably watch as many lessons as I could. I love just watching horses. I would hope nobody would think I was creepy.

[Djones]

It would be preferable to the low-end trailer park that was installed against my northern boundary. Most of the tenants burn their household garbage and a good number get evicted evey year and leave their trash and pets behind. I’d welcome an arena.

[skydy]

He’s a cranky old man. Best to take the high road and explain that you are doing your best to mitigate the dust.

Only you can guess if he is a creep or just an old man with a gripe. Try not to let this escalate.
If he’s just a cranky old man ask, does he like horses? Find out if he has grandkids. Do you have a dead quiet schoolie suitable for leadline pony rides?

After the dust has settled, no pun intended, perhaps you can arrange for him to bring a grandkid for a pony ride one day, while explaining that your schedule rarely allows for this.

Good luck. Having lived on a dirt road for a good portion of my adult life, dust was just a fact of life. Even though we were set back from the dead end dirt road by our land, and our dirt driveway, dust was just another thing to live with.

[Bebe_Falcon1]

I feel like the OP has been completely reasonable thus far, while her aforementioned neighbour has not. How far backwards does she have to bend in order to accommodate his demands with respect to how she can or can’t use her property?

I do get the suggestions to approach this situation especially diplomatically (really, I do), but it does lead me to wonder … is this just then more pandering to an angry, old, (presumably white) dude?

(Disclaimer: I have very little patience for angry old white guys.)

[SharonA1]

@Red_Barn

Having an arena - complete with dust, manure, bright lights, squealing kids and somebody yelling “Heels down!” for 9 hours a day - right under your windows enhances your property’s value?

I’d like to see that data, please.

Because, you know, we’re not talking about a couple of decorative ponies on a green field a thousand yards away. We’re talking about a business involving livestock that’s very much in your face.

Well, in the interests of reading for context, my understanding is that the OP is talking about 2 hours a day, vs. 9, of dust and bright lights and manure (referred to as “Black Gold” in my neighborhood, and many SUVs storm the local gardening store on weekend mornings to pay exorbitantly for it) or squealing children (referred to as “the whole child engaging in open play” in my neighborhood). And the sight of a well-maintained arena does indeed make us plebians feel like we live amongst that milieu of people who have decorative ponies on green fields! Very desirable. Ka-ching.

In any case, the OP has stated she will put up dust/privacy screens. Why are we still arguing about a done deal, especially since surely none of us here on COTH are the grouchy/weird neighbor?

[Red_Barn]

@SharonA1

. . . squealing children (referred to as “the whole child engaging in open play” in my neighborhood) . . .

You poor thing! You must be positively overrun with Karens.

I’d much rather drink PBR with the cranky old man.

[enjoytheride]

The OP has said she has lessons 2 hours a day and would run the lights for 1 hour, 3 days a week. Hardly the scenario you portray.

I’m beginning to wonder if you even own horses.

[Red_Barn]

@enjoytheride

I’m beginning to wonder if you even own horses.

And why is that? Because you assume every horse owner is equally thoughtless and entitled?

No.

I’ve actually been giving this thread a lot of thought, and I’ve come to the conclusion that most of our differences here are generational.

I’m over 60, and I’d never in a million, billion years situate an arena under a neighbor’s windows - party because I believe in good manners and neighborly behavior, and partly because I value my own privacy. Those are old school values, I know, but I’m sure there are plenty of people my age who see the me-first, FU behavior of younger generations as pushy and Karen-ish.

Maybe that’s good and maybe that’s bad, but I’m sure it’s not all that unusual.

[Bluey]

@Red_Barn

And why is that? Because you assume every horse owner is equally thoughtless and entitled?

No.

I’ve actually been giving this thread a lot of thought, and I’ve come to the conclusion that most of our differences here are generational.

I’m over 60, and I’d never in a million, billion years situate an arena under a neighbor’s windows - party because I believe in good manners and neighborly behavior, and partly because I value my own privacy. Those are old school values, I know, but I’m sure there are plenty of people my age who see the me-first, FU behavior of younger generations as pushy and Karen-ish.

Maybe that’s good and maybe that’s bad, but I’m sure it’s not all that unusual.

Hyperbole?

No one is advocating setting an arena “under a neighbor’s window”?
The OP has an arena that is 12’ from the property line and has trees in that distance.
Neighbor’s house is not anywhere near that where it’s windows are above it right there?
The complaint was dust was reaching garage.

OP is already working with neighbor and putting up as requested a dust screen and will be attentive to any other she may do that has a reasonable solution.

No need to crucify OP, there is really no reason to say she or anyone here is “thoughtless and entitled”?

[enjoytheride]

@Red_Barn

And why is that? Because you assume every horse owner is equally thoughtless and entitled?

No.

I’ve actually been giving this thread a lot of thought, and I’ve come to the conclusion that most of our differences here are generational.

I’m over 60, and I’d never in a million, billion years situate an arena under a neighbor’s windows - party because I believe in good manners and neighborly behavior, and partly because I value my own privacy. Those are old school values, I know, but I’m sure there are plenty of people my age who see the me-first, FU behavior of younger generations as pushy and Karen-ish.

Maybe that’s good and maybe that’s bad, but I’m sure it’s not all that unusual.

As has been said multiple times, the arena is 15 feet from the property line, then there are trees and a fence and some distance to the neighbor’s house.